The Bronte BIA Story

The founding of the Bronte BIA was as much a victory for the merchants and business owners of Bronte Village as it was a challenge. Prior to its official establishment in 1987, the idea of forming a local BIA for the Bronte community was not popularly received.

Oakville Town Councillors Ralph Robinson (Ward 1) and Peter Arch both felt strongly Bronte deserved a better chance to develop its local economy, waterfront, burgeoning commercial area, local attractions and historical traditions. In that spirit, they worked hard to generate support for and present a motion to Town Council to create a local Bronte BIA.

However, fear of rising taxes and costs to maintain a local BIA fuelled opposition to the Bronte BIA proposal. Local merchant Bill Morgan led the opposition that eventually caused Town Council to reject the Bronte BIA proposal.

Shortly after, a new movement led again by Councillors Robinson and Arch would achieve success where past attempts failed. In 1987, Town Council approved the Bronte BIA.

Ironically, local merchant Bill Morgan, who originally helped defeat earlier attempts to create the local Bronte BIA, was selected to lead it!

Since then, the Bronte BIA has grown in members and size. Over the years, the BIA has increased the visibility and prominence of Bronte Village through increased signage, beautification projects, media exposure, representation at Town Council, advisory and marketing committees, special community events, and working on behalf of all Bronte-area merchants and businesses.

In 2004, a large-scale marketing assessment was conducted of the Bronte Village area which included detailed reports, various local focus groups, marketing studies, strategies, and recommendations, and finally the re-branding of "Bronte - West Oakville" to reflect its surge in local residential and commercial growth and popularity within Oakville.

Today, Bronte is in the middle of what could be considered it's "golden renaissance". With rising property values, furious development, and the influx of new businesses and residents, it's no wonder many consider Bronte the "hottest neighbourhood" in Oakville!